Bridge work over Big Ditch expected to delay traffic along this west Wichita route

Sedgwick County will begin a major renovation on a Zoo Boulevard bridge that spans the Big Ditch on Sept. 11.

During construction, which is expected to last a year, lane closures and traffic delays will affect some 32,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily. It spans the M.S. Mitch Mitchell Floodway, commonly known as the Big Ditch, between I-235 and Windmill Road.

“Drivers should expect delays, with long-term lane closures and no-left turns at the intersection of Zoo Blvd. and Windmill Rd. Regular commuters should consider taking an alternate route,” a county release states.

The county is not suggesting any specific detours commuters can take to get across the Big Ditch. Central is one option for westbound commuters, as is taking I-235 to the 13th Street exit.

“I know this will be an inconvenience to drivers, especially those who live or work on the west side of Wichita,” Sedgwick County Public Works Director Lynn Packer said. “But this rehabilitation project is crucial to preserving the integrity and safety of this well-traveled bridge.”

Federal funding will cover $2.2 million of the estimated $2.7 million in construction costs, Packer said.

This story was originally published September 5, 2023 at 1:50 PM.